I posted this on another thread and thought what the hell start a new post and see what everyone has to say. Flame on if you will.

I heard the same thing. And from what I have read about the CLB and what the shop manual says it consists of. I can't see spending $50 on it. As far as I can see it consists of a resistor attached to two of the wires. And the other two are shorted together to simulate the internal switch that tells the computer that the lock is disengaged. And whoever is making them is making a killing.

I know that most here don't probably want to hear this, but there's nothing in the column lock but a motor and a switch. It's not rocket science. Just like the CAGS eliminator is a .02 resistor which when put in a package is worth $20. At least the connectors that come with it are worthy of the cost.

The CLB has 4 wires stuck into a blob of black plastic with a connector that plugs into the cars wiring harness. The fear factor adds $30 to the CAGS factor.

I will probably get the dealer to put in the A4 bypass so that I have a GM approved device that won't throw codes or screw anything up in the long run. Or someone could really help out the Corvette fraternity and post the real fix to bypassing the lock. Like the way GM does for the A4. Wouldn't that be a great thing for us here on this forum.

But as you all know money is driving this whole issue. GM doesn't want to put their asses in a sling by recalling all MN6's for new column locks that actually work. So they mickey mouse it and hope it goes away. Members here have had the recall done. And the next day the column lock locks up on them again. So the recall doesn't work!!!!! And they don't want to replace the lock with one that works. To expensive!!!!! They should give the owners the choice to put in the A4's harness bypass and be done with it. But there's probably something legal stopping them from doing this. But they still won't put locks that will work into the cars. To expensive!!!!!

So what do you do?? Resist the recall and put your self in danger? Put in a non-GM part sold in the aftermarket to bypass the lock and then possibly trash your computers system because it's not designed properly. But you feel obligated to yourself because you don't want to have to deal with the column locking when your going around a corner at 50 mph and then turn into the other lane and do a head on. But GM won't replace the lock because it's to expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn I mad about this!!!!!! Sorry for the rant but I finally had enough and had to vent.

There are my thoughts. And I also think it would be appropriate that Someone steps up with the right fix to eliminating the lock. Properly, so that there are no issues with the computer system on the car. This is a safety issue. I don't give a damn if my car is easier to steal. To hell with the thieves, take care of me, the buyer of the car, not the thief that MIGHT steal my car. And I promise not to let any kids in the car that might put the stick into neutral, which would possibly cause an accident. I'll take that chance.

Thank you very much for listening.
I hope it all made sense.

 

It was my understanding that the recall takes care of the issue. I haven't heard from anyone that has had the recall done and had problems with it.

From what I have learned the steering wheel locking system was never for anti-theft protection but was for Federal safety requirements. The trans or steering wheel must lock. The auto just happens to do both.

If I'm off on this someone please educate me.

 

The recall for the MN6 consists of reprogramming the computer to stop fuel from going to the engine if the column lock doesn't unlock. Which doesn't fix the issue of the column lock locking whenever it feels like it. Which leaves us MN6 guys out in the cold with a car that can have the column lock at any time and now the fuel system will shutdown also.

 

The CLB I bought is a nicely made neat little unit with the right connector on it. It comes with a cigarette lighter plug-in adaptor that unlocks the column to start with.

Now it may not be worth $50 but as an ex-member of the "I'm not paying that, I can make one myself" school of bodgers, I'm here to tell everyone that, sure, if you want a load of cut wires and a bodged up car with trailing wires and gaffer tape then go ahead. However, I lack the skill to construct or mould a part that looks neat and professional and won't give me nightmares and I'm more than happy to pay for CAGS and CLB's that will fit easily and neatly and look reasonably professional. Making them easy to fit saves on installation costs anyway.

The other thing worth bearing in mind is that past attempts to "make something myself" usually involve half a dozen trips to buy something I forgot, using precious gas, the parts you need are usually far more than necessary and you end up paying that price anyway for something that looks like it was done by a 4 year old.

 

Are we sure this will happen? In my letter it doesn't state what changes will be done with the PCM reprogram. Where is the info on what takes place with the reprogram?

 

Ah,,,what to do? I had the original recall performed on my MN6, 99 FRC about 2 years ago. Just got the new recall notiice in the mail...I hate going to the dealer for anything. I have never had a problem with the column failing to unlock...So, what do I do????

 

Ask your dealership if this recall is the same as what you already had done.

 

Well.... I got 2 recall letters in the mail today as well. I am not even bothering about taking my FRC into the dealership (Heavily Modded) and the bypass already installed. I will not take the Z06 either since I just bought another CLB for the Z. I think getting your column locked at taking a corner at 100mph sounds a little better than getting your column locked at taking a corner at 100mph with the fuel shut off!

 

If you have an M6 and do the recall you can kiss your custom pcm tuning good bye if you've had it done.

 

You can read a digital copy of the recall letter here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1547981588

 

Who wants to go through all that hassel again! They dealer used to replace the Cloumn Lock Motor itself. The problem is, it was a factory replacement. The exact same part number and everything that came in the car. Of course it will keep failing too. Just fork over the $50 and be done with it! I havent had a probnlem since!

 

This is not the first time that I have seen this mentioned in the gazillion "column lock" threads. I have installed the CLB, and have never gotten any codes. It appears to be working fine, as the column will not lock, but it has only been in for a few months.

My question to the masses is, has anyone had, or heard of anyone having a problem with their BCM (or PCM?) directly attributable to having installed a CLB?

 

There are some threads out there about the CLB kit causing other problems with the BCM/PCM..that's why I hesitate to install it myself..I am going to do a search and see if I can find them

 

I have a 04 and I'm confussed also. I installed the bypass. Instalation went perfect. Started the car to test bypass and got codes. undid the install and installed again and got the codes again. Do not know if the bypass is bad or not. I also installed the skip shift bypass. It worked fine for 2 months then started throwing the service engine light on. Took it into dealer they said the skip shift bypass is bad. Took it off and everything is fine. Now I find it hard to believe that both bypasses are bad or went bad. Don't know what to do now ?

 

In other threads, I have heard that if a key reprogram has to happen, it won't do it with the CLB installed. I don't know if you disconnect it that it will then reprogram.

 

That's the great thing about this country, you can do whatever you want within the boundaries of the law. If you don't want to buy the CLB, you don't have to! I have had the CLB installed for three years now and have not had any problems with the column lock. For me, that's a sound investment for $50 bucks.



column lock

 

OK, now you got me worried. I got the recall notice too but have not done that or the bypass. I thought it would only lock up after you turned the car off and locked the wheel, NOT WHILE DRIVING!! What's the truth here? A potential lock while moving is a lot more threatening to me than not being able to start or drive the car.

 

Personally I don't really buy the locking at speed thing unless you the lock is obviously dragging when you start to drive. The pin releases and that is that. I'm assuming that it is the type of mechanism where it gets powered when the car is off to keep it on. Otherwise, if you lose power while driving, it could lock. I have had my lock lock up about 10 times so far. takes about 10 seconds to unlock it and no troubles after that. I did have a weak dying battery for awhile that may have contributed to the problem.

Rob

 

If the CLB keeps me from having a problem out in the middle of nowhere, then it is a well spent $50. I may still have the recall done, but the CLB will go back on. Not had any problems with mine since the CLB install.

 

Also the motor is a DC motor which turns in both directions. It gets power for about 1 second on startup and another 1 second reversed polarity on key removal. And it's spring loaded so that if the column is not in line, when turned it aligns and snaps into the lock postion. I have been looking at the circuit in the shop manual. When it turns on or off it also makes and breaks a set of dry contacts, which the computer monitors. And it would be that signal which would shutdown the fuel if the car was running and the column was showing locked.
Another tid bit.